About

Lets transform suspension bridges into giant harps and play them!

Human Harp is an instrument that clips to suspension cables, enabling us to hear and play a bridge’s song. Founded by artist Di Mainstone in partnership with Queen Mary University of London, Human Harp is also supported by Arts Council England, Arup, Roundhouse and Sennheiser. Now a global collaboration, Human Harp connects engineers, dancers, designers, musicians and bridge lovers from around the world…

“The Human Harp performances at the Roundhouse were both beautiful and engaging, inspiring our visitors young and old” Rachel Nelken, Senior Producer, Roundhouse

Di Mainstone is founder of the Human Harp. She collaborates with researchers from Queen Mary University of London where she is artist in residence to create new musical instruments that are inspired by the body – transforming physical movement into sound. The New York Times recently featured Di as one of the “new generation visionaries” in the international digital-arts scene.

Human Harp Tech Kit
illustration by Di Mainstone

Amanda McDonald Crowley one of our first suppoorters

Di Mainstone sketch of Human Harp

Version 1 Human Harp tech

Dereck Higgins and Di on Bob Kerrey Suspension Bridge, Omaha

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Hollie Miller seeing Brooklyn Bridge for the first time

Di Mainstone Clifton Suspension Bridge

Human Harp team explore the Roundhouse in preparation for their residency

Di Mainstone and Adam Stark in Bristol after recording the vibrations in the bridge’s hangers

Hollie Miller and Di Mainstone take a break from filming on Brooklyn Bridge 13th Anniversary

Professor Mark Plumbley Director of the Centre for Digital Music and Human Harp’s mentor

Roundhouse 1850

Human Harp version 2

Yuli Levtov presenting Human Harp at NIME

Human Harp talk at Pervasive Media Studio, Bristol

Adam Stark recording on Clifton Suspension Bridge

Di Mainstone sketch of Human Harp version 1

Di Mainstone Clifton Suspension Bridge

Hollie Miller testing Human Harp version 1 in Brooklyn NYC

Version 1 Human Harp

Louis piano demo

Alessia Milo Roundhouse Model

Adam Stark and Di Mainstone testing Harpnotes

A herd of Human Harps

Di Mainstone’s first sketch of Human Harp

Di Mainstone testing Human Harp concepts with students at CIID

We are extremely grateful to our principal funder Queen Mary University of London and would like to thank them for their continuing support.
To find out more about opportunities and partnerships please contact hello@humanharp.org.